Maintenance and Modifications
JetStar owners irate about ADs
Lockheed Martin has recommended to the FAA that the agency upgrade to Airworthiness Directives a series of service bulletins developed over the past 18 mon

Lockheed Martin has recommended to the FAA that the agency upgrade to Airworthiness Directives a series of service bulletins developed over the past 18 months for the L-329 JetStar, one of the first U.S. business jets, to ensure compliance. The bulletins will quantify life limits on some aircraft components not previously restricted such as the JetStar’s wing attachment bolts, tail pivot fittings, flaps and flap tracks, nosewheel steering cylinder assembly and, in some cases, engine pylon mounts.

The restrictions are expected to cover all U.S.-registered JetStars (about 35 are currently flying) and another handful operating outside the U.S. Lockheed built slightly more than 200 of the aircraft line, which includes the JetStar and the JetStar II as well as an STC model in which Garrett TFE731s replace the original Pratt & Whitney engines.